HOBBIES & CAREERS ~

The Christmas Collection of Nutcrackers

2003 was the first year for which large drawings of nutcrackers were created for the holidays. The series debuted with four nutcrackers honoring countries of the world - USA, France and Britain, and the fourth highlighted the North Poles' most famous citizen, Santa Claus.

Subsequent years produced many more nutcrackers in the form of soldiers and kings, nutcrackers that honored favorite schools and colleges, sports, careers, country of heritage and more.

SNOWMEN

Snowmen images have been added to the Christmas Collection. It is always fun to reinvent and to observe the reactions. Ideas for additional snowmen??? Give me a jungle. Happy to hear suggestions.

CLICK EACH PICTURE FOR A LARGER VIEW

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ORIGINALS AND PRINTS

THE ORIGINAL OIL PASTEL nutcrackers and snowmen are on textured mat board. They are large presentations at approximately 32x20 or 28x20, and serve as charming holiday door-greeters and festive artworks for the holidays.

The originals are usually introduced at a local, festive Holiday Boutique, and sell quickly. Therefore, each image is offered in giclee print form so that all the original nutcracker and snowmen characters can be shared and enjoyed, even though the large original may be gone.

If an original oil pastel is currently available - information and price are listed below it's image in the gallery to the left.

THE GICLEE PROCESS: employs archival pigmented inks, heavy weight matte photo papers and as such each print is a fade resistant, fine art print. Each giclee takes from 5 to 25 minutes to print, depending upon size of the image. Utmost care is taken to present the highest quality print possible.

About the ARTIST

LINKS TO SITES FOR SHELLEY SCHOENHERR

ORIGIN OF THE NUTCRACKER

The first wooden 'nut-biters' date back to 1735 Germanic Europe. Often carved as soldiers, they were strong looking characters with large heads. Nuts were placed in the 'biters' mouth and cracked open by pulling down on the lever built into their backs.

Early nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to the family, and protect the homes that received them. Intended as a fierce protector, the nutcracker bares his teeth and guards, while welcoming all those approaching the door.

Today, Nutcracker figures represent every hobby and career imaginable and are avidly collected all over the world.